SUMMARY
Melbourne is struggling to field a competitive side, having been decimated by injuries in the latter half of the season. Captain Nathan Jones (ankle) is in doubt, Chris Dawes (ankle) faces a fitness test and Heritier Lumumba (ankle) has already been ruled out.
The GIANTS, on the other hand, put in a strong showing against Carlton last weekend and will be looking to finish off the season on the right note. GWS should have more class across the board and should account for the Demons in comfortable fashion.
WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Sunday September 6, 1.10pm
AEST
TV, RADIO AND BETTING: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R2, 2015, GWS 15.11 (101) d Melbourne 8.8 (56) at StarTrack Oval
R21, 2014, GWS 15.8 (98) d Melbourne 3.16 (34) at the MCG
R3, 2014, GWS 10.19 (79) d Melbourne 7.5 (47) at Spotless Stadium
R19, 2013, GWS 19.10 (124) d Melbourne 12.15 (87) at Spotless Stadium
R4, 2013, Melbourne 22.12 (144) d GWS 15.13 (103) at the MCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. This game will see a battle of the two lowest ranking centre clearance teams in 2015. The Demons are 18th in that category, averaging 10.4 while the GIANTS are 17th with an average of 10.5 per game.
2. Melbourne is one of just two teams against which the GIANTS hold a winning record – four victories to the Demons' three. The other is Carlton (3-2).
3. The GIANTS have improved on their 2014 campaign, winning five more games in 2015. Their average score per game has risen from 80 to 85 points and their points conceded has dropped from 105 to 85.
4. Melbourne will once again attempt to end their eight-year Etihad Stadium hoodoo – they’ve lost their past 22 games at the venue and not won since round 19, 2007 when it defeated the Western Bulldogs.
5. The Demons' first halves in the past three weeks have been poor. In round 20, the Demons kicked two goals to 14; in round 21 two goals to 10 and last week against Fremantle they managed just four goals to 11.
6. GIANTS Jeremy Cameron (25.5) and Adam Treloar (24.9) were the second and third highest scoring players of round 22 in the Official AFL Player Ratings.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Adam Treloar. Another impressive showing could drive the young GIANTS midfielder's value up even more. The out-of-contract Treloar looks likely to seek a trade home to Melbourne, with Collingwood, North Melbourne and Richmond vying for his services.
PREDICTION: Greater Western Sydney by 31 points
